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19 Jul 2023

The Chemical Brothers’ 10th Studio Album Is Coming This Fall

The Chemical Brothers will release their 10th studio album, For That Beautiful Feeling, on Sept. 8.

The LP is the Brothers’ first since 2019’s No Geography, which won the 2020 Grammy for best dance/electronic album, with its lead single “Eve Of Destruction” winning for best dance/electronic recording.

The forthcoming 11-track collection includes the already released single “No Reason,” “The Darkness That You Fear” and “Live Again.” A video for this latter single was released on Wednesday (July 19). Dom & Nic directed the video, who with it deliver their tenth collaboration with the Brothers.

For That Beautiful Feeling was recorded at the Chemical Brothers’ studio on the south coast of England. In a press release, the album is described as “a record that hunts for and captures that wild moment when sound overwhelms you and almost pulls you under yet ultimately lets you ride its wave, to destinations unknown. It’s a record that pinpoints the exact moment you lose all control, where you surrender and let the music move you as if pulled by an invisible thread.”

The album’s release will be followed by Paused in Cosmic Reflection, a book coming October 26 that will span the Chemical Brothers’ nearly 30 year career. The book will feature new interviews with the band along with friends and collaborators including Noel Gallagher, Aurora, Wayne Coyne, Beth Orton, Beck, Michel Gondry and more.

The Chemical Brothers are touring the European festival circuit this summer, with upcoming sets at Electric Castle, Wilderness Festival, Fest Festival and more. The pair — Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons — will play a handful of standalone arena shows in the U.K. this fall.

The music video for “Live Again” above.

19 Jul 2023

‘Hot Girl Bummer’ Star Blackbear Sells Select Music Assets to HarbourView

HarbourView Equity Partners has acquired selected recorded and publishing assets of Blackbear, the hit songwriter and artist whose credits include “Hot Girl Bummer,” “Do Re Mi” and songwriting collaborations like Justin Bieber‘s “Boyfriend.”

In the U.S., Blackbear’s catalog has generated 4.45 million album consumption units, according to Luminate. While the deal announcement doesn’t specify what portion of the Blackbear catalog has been acquired, HarbourView said its acquisition encompasses both publishing and recorded music assets.

In addition, the deal also includes Blackbear’s publishing interest in collaborations with such artists and songwriters as Bieber, Pharrell Williams, Linkin Park, G-Easy, Machine Gun Kelly and 2 Chainz, among others.

“This catalog provides unflinching honesty offering an insight into difficult life journeys that many global fans can relate to,” HarbourView founder and CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares said in a statement. “This transparency creates a powerful sense of unity mobilizing his mission of inspiring his audience to be unapologetically themselves. His brilliant artistry has opened doors for him to work with artists such as Justin Bieber, Pharrell Williams, and Machine Gun Kelly. We are ecstatic to work with Blackbear and his team to make a further positive impact through authenticity.”

With this acquisition, HarbourView continues to move forward acquiring current pop, hip-hop, R&B, Latin and pop-punk on a path different from most private equity-backed music asset investors, which tend to invest in legacy music.

Fox Rothschild served as legal counsel to HarbourView in this transaction, while Blackbear (born Matthew Musto) was represented by Paul Rothenberg and Joseph Duthie of Rothenberg, Mohr & Binder, LLP.

19 Jul 2023

Wiz Khalifa Admits To Being “Shroomed Out” When He Threw 1st Pitch At Pittsburgh Pirates Game

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Cleveland Guardians v Pittsburgh Pirates

Source: Justin K. Aller / Getty

Everyone knows that Wiz Khalifa’s love affair with Mary Jane has been well documented ever since he came into the rap game, but it seems like he may be indulging in another kind of high as the man admitted to being under the influence… while throwing a pitch at a professional baseball game!

On Monday (July 17), Wiz Khalifa threw the first pitch out at the Pirates game in his hometown of Pittsburgh and afterwards took to Twitter to reveal that he was actually on shrooms when he took the mound. Well, at least it wasn’t a performance enhancing drug? Interestingly enough, he announced his intentions beforehand tweeting, “Finna get stoned af and throw this first pitch at the pirates game.”

Get “stoned af” he did but while most of us assumed he’d burn some Khalifa Kush before the ceremonial first pitch, he later tweeted he was actually on some magic mushrooms tweeting, “shroomed out throwin’ a baseball is crazy.”

Luckily, no one was in the batter’s box because that man would’ve gotten plunked. Just look at how Wiz Khalifa missed the plate and actually threw some would be chin music into the batter’s box when it came time to throw some heat.

Benches would’ve cleared had this been an in-game pitch.

Still, it’s pretty cool to see Khalifa take the mound while high out his mind and not even hiding it. Peep a “shroomed out” Wiz Khalifa waving to his adoring fans.

Unfortunately for the team, the Pirates went on to get blown out by the Cleveland Guardians by a healthy score of 11-0. In hindsight, his pitch was probably a preview of what was to come for the rest of the game. They should’ve just let him close it out, f- it.

At least Wiz was able to kick it with the team before taking that horrible loss.

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19 Jul 2023

John Bodega Talks “They Cloned Tyrone” & AI

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John Boyega LEVEL cover

Source: Sarah McColgan for LEVEL / LEVEL

In a new interview, John Boyega talks about his experience in the upcoming Netflix film They Cloned Tyrone as well as the increasing concerns of AI & acting.

The star actor spoke at length in a recent LEVEL cover story about his process of preparing for the lead role of Fontaine for the Netflix film, which also stars Jamie Foxx and Teyonnah Paris: “I was excited at the idea of multiple roles, the idea of playing someone significantly older. I love the idea of different looks because whereas the normality is to play a heightened version of yourself, this gives you a real opportunity to jump into what acting truly is.”

The London native and star of the recent Star Wars trilogy did also touch upon how the film challenges viewers to shed preconceived notions while watching. “When you’re in a modern society where we watch the news and the details of the news are packaged [for] TV, sometimes the nuance is lost,” Bodega said. “In order for us to comprehend the world, it’s easier to generalize.” Referencing Paris’ character of Yo-Yo, who is a sex worker, he elaborated: “Accepting that duality and using our brains to scan people more than just going on generalized stereotypes is a commentary that this film makes. I’m proud that this film does that.”

When asked about the growing usage of AI and the complexities behind it in the film industry and beyond, Boyega replied,  “I’m at the stage now where I’m like, Oh crap, I didn’t know you can do that.” He continued: “In filmmaking, it will help us in some way. On the flip side, in terms of individuality, ownership, [and] fairness, that’s going to be a discussion that people are going to have to figure out.”

Of course, the discussion also turned to the idea of conspiracy theories which are interwoven into the plot of They Cloned Tyrone compelling the 31-year-old to state “maybe the truth in certain scenarios is not as extreme or interesting. Some of it is boring truth. But the funny thing about stimulation as a human being, we still love to discuss it” He also joked about his own conspiracy beliefs regarding celebrities: I was like, They probably got to get into some cult to get to a certain level of power. Then I became a celebrity and went, “That didn’t happen.” At least it doesn’t happen to me!”

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19 Jul 2023

Nas Takes To IG To Announce New Album ‘Magic 2’ Set To Drop July 21

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Wu-Tang And Nas Perform At The OVO Hydro

Source: Roberto Ricciuti / Getty

Some good news for OG Hip-Hoppers began to make the rounds last night as it’s being said that one of the rap game’s GOATs is prepping to drop a brand new album real soon… as in Friday soon.

Last night, Queensbridge King and Hip-Hop icon Nas took to his Instagram account and shocked his millions of followers by posting a distorted image of himself as a youngn’ and as a grown man with the title Magic 2 stamped on it. In the caption, he simply wrote “7.21.”

Who knew he was even working on an album?! We shouldn’t be surprised, though. For the last few years Nas has been consistently hitting us with stellar projects such as the Kings Disease trilogy, which began in 2020 and ended in 2022. Magic was released in 2021. This will make Nas’ 16th studio album in his illustrious career and though details about the new album are scarce, it seems like we’ll be getting a feature from 50 Cent who took to his own IG page to hype up Magic 2 writing, “Y’all ain’t heard me in minute, @nas felt like it was time so it’s done. Check us out Friday 7.21 MAGIC 2.”

Should be a treat for us older heads. Y’all already know heads in Queensbridge are gonna break out the exclusive Nas edition of Hennessy when they bump this new album. Heck, all of New York might do that.

Are y’all excited to hear what Nas has in store for us when Magic 2 drops next week? Let us know in the comments section below.

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19 Jul 2023

Ice Spice Opens Up About ‘Karma’ Collaboration & Friendship With Taylor Swift: ‘We Text All the Time’

Ice Spice has shared her side of the story to how she came to be the featured artist on Taylor Swift‘s “Karma” remix, a collaboration which resulted in Ice getting her first ever Billboard Hot 100 No. 2, the chance to perform three times for a sold out crowd at MetLife Stadium and a long-lasting friendship with one of the biggest pop stars on the planet.

“I was home and my manager called me, and was like, ‘Oh, Taylor wants you on a record.’ And I’m like, ‘Taylor?’” the 23-year-old rapper recalled to Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1’s “Up Next” series. “I was having a really bad day also, I would like to say that. I was having a terrible day. I was crying all morning because I was just so mad at something. And then he called me with that news. And then I cried more, because it was good news.”

“My life is a rollercoaster,” she added. “How I started the day crying and I’m ending it crying, but for different reasons.”

Ice also took Lowe through the process of recording her parts on “Karma,” which she called “amazing.” “We went to the studio and [Taylor] is so humble and so nice,” she said. “I kid you not. I pulled up to the studio and she outside waiting for me. So she’s great. She’s so funny. We text all the time. She is f–king hilarious. I’m not going to lie. She’s the funniest person ever.”

At the first of three Eras Tour shows in East Rutherford back in May, Swift herself shared that she had been a major fan of Ice’s even before learning that the young star was interested in collaborating. “What she didn’t know at the time is that when I was training for the tour, I was listening to pretty much exclusively just her music every single day,” the “Anti-Hero” singer revealed before debuting the “Karma” music video at the show. “So we immediately went into the studio and I just not only fell in love with her, but just decided she’s the entire future.”

Later that night, Ice surprised the audience by taking the stage for the show’s finale, rapping her “Karma” verse before exiting the stage with Swift’s arm around her shoulders.

“The roar that you hear in a Taylor Swift show is unmatched,” Ice recalled to Lowe. “But her show was amazing, and I’m just so grateful. Like 200,000 people, I think we performed for.”

The Bronx native also touched on her relationships with mentors like Nicki Minaj, with whom she’s turned in two collaborations (“Princess Diana” and a remix of Aqua’s “Barbie World” for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie), and Drake. “I feel like I am absorbing advice from [Nicki] and learning from her and stuff,” she shared. And she’ll tell me, ‘Learn from my mistake, do this or don’t do that,’ or whatever. And I just really pay attention to what she’s saying. Because if there’s anyone I’m going to listen to it’s the queen.”

“We talk all the time and we’re always just laughing about some things that go on,” she added of Drizzy. “And I’ll ask him, ‘What should I do with this? Or how’d you go about this? Or did you ever experience that?’ It’s like coach vibes.”

Listen to Ice Spice’s Apple Music 1 interview above.

19 Jul 2023

‘Stephen Curry: Underrated’: How to Watch the Documentary for Free

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Stephen Curry is giving fans an intimate look at his life on and off the court with his new documentary, Stephen Curry: Underrated. The release date for Curry’s coming-of-age doc is Friday (July 21) on Apple TV+, and will showcase his rise to superstardom within the NBA. Right now, you can get a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+, which means you can watch the Stephen Curry documentary for free.

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Starting Friday, fans will gain a deeper understanding as to why Curry was thought of as an underrated player. While being tall is considered an asset and practically a requirement within the professional basketball world, Curry has proven that skill and height don’t always equate to being the most successful. Standing at 6’3″, the NBA player has more than proven his worthiness going from an “undersized college player to a four-time NBA champion,” according to the documentary’s description.

The film will feature archive footage as well as intimate interviews with Curry and those close to him. Emmy-winning director Peter Nicks helms the documentary, and is known for his immersive camera work and vérité style, which means fans can expect to get up close and personal to Curry throughout the feature.

Keep reading to learn how to watch Stephen Curry: Underrated for free online.

How to Watch Stephen Curry: Underrated

The documentary is an Apple TV+ Original, which means subscribers to the streamer can watch it for free without an additional cost.

Not a subscriber? Whether you’re looking to cord cut or don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars to watch your favorite programs, Apple TV+ give a free seven-day trial, which means you can watch the documentary and more for free. After the trial ends, you’ll be charged $6.99/month.

‘Stephen Curry: Underrated’

$6.99/month after 7 days

Click here or the buy button above to start your free trial and watch Stephen Curry: Underrated when it’s released on Friday (July 21). Not only will a subscription give you access to the documentary, but you’ll be able to stream Apple TV+ Original movies, TV series and exclusive content such as Ted Lasso, Platonic, Silo, Foundation, The After Party, Ghosted, Still A Michael J. Fox Story, Shrinking, The Big Door Prize, Hijack, High Desert, The Crowded Room, The Last Thing He Told Me, Schmigadoon!, Loot, The Problem With Jon Stewart and more.

You can also add on MLS Season Pass for $12.99/month (regularly $14.99/month) for a limited time, which provides live matches and the ability to watch the entire MLS season, playoffs and Leagues Cups.

Watch the Stephen Curry: Underrated trailer below.

19 Jul 2023

‘Wicked’ Director Jon M. Chu Says Release Date Won’t ‘Be Affected’ by Strike

As the joint WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue to send shockwaves throughout Hollywood, many filmmakers are updating fans on the status of the slew of upcoming films set to be impacted by the breakdown in negotiations between writers, actors and AMPTP. Among them is Jon M. Chu, the director of the highly anticipated Wicked movie musicals.

In an Instagram Story and tweet on Wednesday (July 19), Chu confirmed to fans that filming is “paused until the strike is over.” “We were only a few days away from being done, so we were SO close,” he wrote. “It’s been very painful to put a halt to it all but we will be back! And we will finish properly strong when the time is right.”

“More to come, but in the meantime, I’m excited to excavate what we have shot for the past year here in Oz (release date shouldn’t be affected),” Chu continued. “It has been an extraordinary adventure… more to do.”

His clarification comes on the heels of fan speculation that filming was complete, as well as rumors that star Ariana Grande — who is playing Glinda the Good Witch — would be returning to the States soon. The majority of Wicked filming took place right outside London, the same city where the “Positions” singer was recently spotted without her wedding ring a day before reports surfaced that she and husband Dalton Gomez were headed for a divorce.

Wicked features a star-studded cast of some of the industry’s most acclaimed actors and singers including Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Olivier Award winner Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero and Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang and Keala Settle round out the cast. Split into two films, the first Wicked movie is slated for a Nov. 27, 2024, release, with the second following on Nov. 26, 2025.

Chu concluded the Instagram Story with update with a note of solidarity, writing, “Much love to … our beloved SAG members who are fighting for a fair deal! We stand with you.”

Click here to read Jon M. Chu’s full statement on Instagram Stories, and see his tweet below.

19 Jul 2023

Taylor Swift Breaks Her Own Record on Streaming Songs Chart

Taylor Swift nets 22 songs on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart dated July 22, breaking her own record in the process.

With 22 appearances, Swift sets a new mark for the most songs on the survey at once by a woman since its 2013 inception, surpassing the 20 she achieved on the Nov. 5, 2022, ranking upon the release of her album Midnights.

This time, it’s her LP Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) that makes up the bulk of the songs, with 20 of the 22 from the new release. Leading the way is “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” which bows at No. 2 with 24.7 million official U.S. streams in the week ending July 13, according to Luminate.

The other two Swift tunes on Streaming Songs are Lover’s “Cruel Summer” (No. 10, 15.4 million streams) and Midnights’ “Anti-Hero” (No. 44, 10 million streams).

In all, Swift occupies six of the chart’s top 10. The next largest after “I Can See You,” “Mine (Taylor’s Version),” appears at No. 6 with 16.2 million streams. (Swift is one of two acts to hold down the entire top 10, having done so on the aforementioned Nov. 5, 2022, list. Drake has accomplished the feat twice: Nov. 19, 2022, and Sept. 18, 2021.)

Those five new top 10s (as “Cruel Summer” had previously reached the top 10) breaks Swift out of a tie with Lil Baby for the second-most top 10s in the chart’s history, now boasting 39. Drake leads all acts with 85 top 10s.

Most Top 10s, Streaming Songs

  • 85, Drake
  • 39, Taylor Swift
  • 34, Lil Baby
  • 29, The Weeknd
  • 26, 21 Savage
  • 25, Future
  • 24, Kanye West
  • 23, J. Cole
  • 23, Justin Bieber
  • 23, Post Malone

Only three times has an artist netted more than 22 songs on Streaming Songs at once. Morgan Wallen holds the all-time record, set earlier this year, with 30 (March 18), followed by Drake (28; July 14, 2018) and Bad Bunny (23; May 21, 2022).

Concurrently, as previously reported, “I Can See You” leads the crop of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) songs on the multimetric Billboard Hot 100, bowing at No. 5. And on the Billboard 200, the album starts at No. 1 with 716,000 equivalent album units earned.

19 Jul 2023

Two Moms United by a Heart Transplant Wow ‘AGT’ Judges With Touching ‘Wicked’ Track: Watch

Auditions for America’s Got Talent continued on Tuesday (July 18), and saw mothers Kim and Holly touch judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara with a unique story of how they were brought together.

“Back in 2007, my son unfortunately passed away and he became an organ donor and his heart went to Kim’s son,” Holly explained to the panel. Kim continued, “My son was 16 days old at the time. He got the heart. We lived thousands of miles apart and had no idea who each other was.”

“The last song I sang to Jake to say goodbye to him was ‘For Good’ from the musical Wicked,” to which Kim added, “And when Beckham was finished with his heart transplant surgery, I wasn’t allowed to hold him, I had to stroke his head. And the first thing I did when I stroked his head, I sang that song for him from Wicked.”

Kim and Holly’s meeting was a long time in the making, the pair revealed. “Several years later, Kim wrote a letter to us and we kept in touch, and then we had the opportunity to meet each other for the first time, and gave me a big hug and it was one of the best moments of my life,” Holly said. Kim summed up the meaning of their audition in a few words: “We would love to spread the word about organ donation — if we could change the heart of one person, it’s worth it.”

Shortly after, the pair launched into Wicked‘s Glinda and Elphaba duet “For Good,” the track that united them across several hundred miles. “Like a comet pulled from orbit/ As it passes a sun/ Like a stream that meets a boulder/ Halfway through the wood/ Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?/ But because I knew you/ I have been changed for good,” the pair harmonized on the chorus.

After they received a standing ovation from all four of the judges and the audience, Mandel asked where Kim’s son was, and Beckham joined the women on stage. “I have never responded well to musical theater. They overdramatize singing,” Mandel then began. “That is the first time in my life that I felt a connection to this kind of music. This was probably the most magical moment I have ever experienced on America’s Got Talent.”

The women received four yeses and advanced to the next round.

Watch Kim and Holly’s touching audition in the video above.